While delivering a speech at the event where sector representatives whom contributed to the export of the carpet sector in 2023 were also awarded, TİM President Mustafa Gültepe said, “We have a say in the world carpet market with an export of 2.8 billion dollars. We should expand this success further by bringing production together with design and innovation.” While stating that Turkish carpet making has gained a strong place worldwide, İHİB Chairman of the Board Ahmet Hayri Diler said, “Value-added export is not only the key to economic success, but also to carrying our cultural wealth to the world by bringing it together with design and technology. The national carpet design competition, which we organized for the 17th time, is the best demonstration of how innovation and creativity are the essentials of the sector. Our designs are not just products, but also guides that shed light on the future of Turkish carpet making.”
The winners of the National Carpet Design Competition, organized by the Istanbul Carpet Exporters' Association (İHİB) for 17 years, and the sector representatives whom contributed to the exports of the carpet sector in 2023 were awarded. İnan Burhanlı was the winner of the 17th National Carpet Design Competition, while Esma Deniz ranked second and Yaren İleri came in third. The awards of those whom contributed to the exports of the carpet sector in 2023 were distributed to 10 companies each in the categories of Machine-Woven Carpet, Tufting Carpet, Velvet Carpet and Prayer Rug and Hand-Made Carpet. Mine Gökbuket Erbek was deemed worthy of the İHİB Special Award and dedicated this award to Turkish women weavers. The Carpetmaker of the Year Special Award went to Erhan Ör, the veteran of Hereke carpets. The ceremony hosted by İHİB Board of Chairman Ahmet Hayri Diler which was attended by Istanbul Deputy Governor Cengiz Karabulut, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Board of Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (İTHİB) Board of Chairman Ahmet Öksüz, Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association (İDMİB) Board of Chairman Güven Karaca, Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Association (GAİB) Board of Chairman Zeynel Abidin Kaplan and many guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cengiz Karabulut emphasized that carpet is a cultural heritage extending from the past to the present and said, “There is history in each of its stitches and a story in each of its patterns. This competition is also a valuable platform that brings tradition and innovation together. Each design has great importance in introducing the richness of our culture to the world. I believe that the works presented here today are not just designs, but will also be remembered for generations as works of art.”
''We Should Bring Together Production with Design''
Mustafa Gültepe, who emphasized that carpet has distinct place in Turkish culture, noted that when we look back at the 2,500-year history, it will be seen that Turks are one of the nations that grasps the authenticity and the uniqueness carpets. Mustafa Gültepe, who stated that Turkey carries out 16.4 percent of global carpet exports, continued as follows; “Last year, we realized 2.8 billion dollars of carpet exports. We closed the January-November period of this year with a 5 percent increase. We can say that we will complete 2024 with an increase of almost this rate. Carpet is a 2,500-year-old cultural heritage that we need to protect and develop. It is also one of the sectors in which we have the most advantages in the world. Therefore, we should look after these sectors like our eyes. In order to achieve greater success in exports, we have to bring production together with design, innovation and high technology.” Mustafa Gültepe, who said that talented young people had the opportunity to meet with the industry with the organized competition, drew attention to the fact that young people will develop this valuable heritage inherited from their ancestors and carry it to the future.
''Turkey is the World Leader''
Ahmet Hayri Diler, who stated that they brought together both the deep-rooted cultural heritage and strong commercial potential of the carpet sector, said, “We are proud to bring together the leading representatives of our sector, Turkey’s talented designers and the young people who will build our future. The carpet sector is one of the brightest chapters of Turkey’s worldwide success stories. Today, Turkey is second in the world in total carpet exports and first in the world in machine-woven carpets. This success has been achieved with the solid infrastructure, innovative vision and determination of our sector to carry the values of our culture. Value-added export is not only the key to economic successes, but also to carrying our cultural richness to the world by bringing it together with design and technology. The national carpet design competition, which we organized for the 17th time, is the best exemplifier of innovation and creativity as being the necessities of the sector. Our designs are not just products, but also guides that shed light on the future of Turkish carpet making. Turkish carpet making is not only an economic value but also an artistic element that should be recognized throughout the world."
